CHAPTER 358: AT ODDS

Athena blushed seeing Ewan enter the sitting room right after her. Did he follow her?

Her heartbeat soared rapidly over an invisible ceiling when his gaze met hers—crashing just as suddenly when it flitted past her like it hadn’t met her mere nanoseconds ago.

She swallowed, an involuntary action, and tucked her hands to her sides, wishing she had worn a gown with pockets.

"Ewan!" she heard Old Mr. Thorne call out, happiness shining through his voice.

Even the twins, whom she had hoped would be in bed, hurried toward their father, neglecting her in the process. It didn’t matter that they had rushed toward him straight from their nestled position around her thighs; they had just finished welcoming her.

It was unavoidable, she supposed, that they would greet Ewan, thinking he had come in with her. But it didn’t make the bitter taste on her tongue go away.

"You didn’t tell me you were coming..." the old man continued, gesturing for Ewan to take a seat.

Ewan did so, carrying the twins on either side of his arms, without looking at her still.

The strength of the man, Athena mused, forgetting she was still standing.

"Athena, are you okay?" Florence, who had just come out from the kitchen, watched her granddaughter watch Ewan and the children; understanding, to an extent, the mixed emotions swarming in the latter’s eyes.

Athena cleared her throat unhurriedly, found her balance, and walked out of the sitting room. "I am fine," she tossed over her shoulder as she walked past her grandmother, who looked at her with worry.

"Ma, I am fine," she insisted when the older woman followed her into her room.

"You look fine, yes, but I know you are swamped with confusion."

Athena exhaled and dropped herself onto the bed, flinging her heels away unceremoniously. "Tell me about it," she muttered, her hand flailing across her back to unclasp the hook that held the two sides of the dress together.

"Let me." Florence did the honors and stepped away, watching as her granddaughter got rid of the dress without an iota of shame—unlike others in her shoes might have, seeing as they had only made the necessary familial acquaintance a few days ago.

She couldn’t help but wonder if Aiden had somehow enrolled her little girl in the army, where she might have learned to be so shameless about her nakedness in front of people.

"What are you thinking about, Ma?" Athena asked, eyebrow raised, noting the thinning lines on her grandmother’s forehead—a sign the latter was deep in thought.

Her bra joined the heap on the floor, and her hand lay limply on her panties.

Florence shrugged. "Just surprised that you are not shy about your nakedness in front of an audience."

Athena laughed, the huge tension leaving her shoulders. "You are unbelievable." She laughed again, shaking her head—amusing Florence, who now found her earlier thoughts foolish.

"You are my grandmother, hardly an audience. After all, you must have seen your share of naked bodies. What will an extra one do?"

As Athena spoke, she waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

Florence blushed and laughed in the same breath, turning away, suddenly abashed. "You have no filters, young lady. Get into the bathroom quickly. Dinner will be waiting for you when you’re out."

Athena laughed and headed to the bathroom. "Thanks, Grandma. What about Gianna?" She paused at the threshold.

"Not yet back." Florence’s face took on a somber quality. "That friend of yours is really working very hard. I’m worried it’s too much. She needs to rest. At this rate, she will become a broomstick soon. I don’t think men like that."

Athena snorted. "Trying to matchmake her with one of your friend’s grandsons?"

Florence didn’t bother to deny it. "It would be beautiful if you two got married on the same day."

Athena was astounded. "Married? MAAA!!"

Florence only laughed and walked out of the room, her laughter echoing even after she had shut the door.

Athena, still bathed in incredulity, walked into the bathroom. Married? Again? No, she would rather go to Antarctica for a swim!

"At one point, I was thinking of getting in there and dragging you out." Chelsea’s words greeted Athena as she walked out of the bathroom, toweling her hair slowly, luxuriantly.

"If this is the rate at which you bathe, then I wouldn’t be surprised." Chelsea continued, pointing at the toweling motion.

Athena chuckled and met her friend in a hug, never mind her almost-naked state.

"Dress up quickly. Your man is waiting in the sitting room for you."

Athena balked for the second time in an hour. Her man? "Ewan isn’t my man."

"And who is talking about Ewan?" Chelsea asked, smiling, mischief dancing in her eyes. "It seems the fellow might be part of the reason you spent so much time bathing."

Athena didn’t grace the statement with a response, already knowing the trail Chelsea was pursuing. Fortunately, she would rather focus on the matter at hand.

Antonio was here?

"What is he doing here?"

Chelsea shrugged. "I don’t think I’m the best recipient of that question. I actually intercepted him on his way here. Ewan had pointed him toward your room."

Antonio. Ewan. Athena rubbed her forehead weakly, taking in short puffs of air.

Ewan. What was he doing sending Antonio this way? Was he that indifferent, or was he trying to pass a certain message to Antonio?

"I guess that’s expected. Antonio is your boyfriend..."

A pause. "Athena, say something. He’s waiting a few feet away from your door. I told him to wait so I could confirm... He wasn’t pleased at being kept out though... like it was his right to be in your room and all. Has he been here before?"

Athena shook her head, lost for words. What was Antonio really doing here? And why in the world would Ewan adopt the role of a guardian?

Athena battled with frustration—and lost—as she hurriedly wore her clothes and started toward her door, Chelsea following right behind.

"You seem out of it, so I’ll guess you both aren’t as smooth as he thinks," Chelsea muttered, biting her lips.

"That reminds me..." she continued just as Athena opened the door, undeterred by her friend’s speechlessness. "You have a doctor’s appointment on Monday."

That was enough to break Athena’s stride out of the room; however, she didn’t stop—only clenched her lips tight, trying to organize her thoughts.

It seemed to her she was handling a million things at the same time. Overwhelmed, yet again, she thought, sliding the appointment into a mental folder of urgent things so she wouldn’t forget.

Therapy was a need—it would help both her and Susan move past their dark past. It had taken a lot to convince the younger lady to join her.

All the same, she paused when she saw Antonio standing right opposite the door to the sitting room. He really was waiting for Chelsea to return with feedback.

"Hey, babe..." She needed to play it cool if she was going to have a peaceful night. Two men, at odds with each other over her, were in the same location.

Well, that’s what she chose to believe—not wanting to accept that Ewan had automatically turned off his devotion and love for her.

Antonio’s smile could light up the void; he hadn’t expected Athena to call him the popular word of endearment.

"Hey, darling..." he called out, to the benefit of those in the sitting room pretending to be unaware of their presence.

He engulfed her in a hug next, while Chelsea walked past them, eyes front, her lips twitching with a smile.

She winked at Athena when their gazes met behind Antonio, right before she went into the sitting room, her voice joining the flurry of others arguing over football.

"What are you doing here? Did something happen?" Athena’s voice was one of worry, of care and concern. Antonio loved it.

Not letting her go, he placed his forehead on hers.

"I want to spend the night with you. Weather forecasters predict rain with thunder tonight."

Athena smiled, unable to help it. "Weather forecast, or you forecast?"

Antonio laughed and dropped a kiss on her lips. "Does it matter?"

Athena licked her lower lip, meeting his gaze under the low hallway light. "But... I asked for a little time..."

"I know, babe," Antonio agreed, touching her cheek softly. "I won’t misbehave..."—a smile, a knowing gaze of mischief—"I just want to stay with you."

Athena hesitated in giving a response, which didn’t sit well with Antonio.

"I’m sure your grandparents wouldn’t mind. You are a grown woman. Or is it because of Ewan? Is he sleeping here tonight too?"

"I don’t know, Antonio. I am not Ewan’s girlfriend or mother, or even sister," Athena replied sharply—seeing now why Antonio had returned. He had probably seen Ewan’s car brush past and rushed back to the house because of his insecurity.

She didn’t blame him, really, but she wished he trusted her more.